Overcoming obstacles: Enrique Gonzalez, senior

Q: You played basketball and football while attending Ballard High School during your freshmen and sophomore years?

A: Yes. I would maintain my grades for the sports programs and keep it up during basketball and football. I would stop toward the end of the year. I think I received three out of 12 required credits at Ballard.

Q: What brought you to Everett?

A: I decided I wanted to go live with my dad and to play football and basketball for Cascade (during) my junior year.

Q: How did things go during your junior year?

A: I kept my grades up during varsity football and basketball. I got all the graduation requirements done for that year, six out of six credits.

Q: What brought you to Sequoia?

A: I had been told about the program at Sequoia (by a member) of the varsity basketball team. You could get your credits a lot faster. It’s like a normal school, but I feel it’s better than a normal school. I’m also doing an online program here at Sequoia to retrieve credits really fast.

Q: But you still play basketball at Cascade?

A: Yes. I’m playing varsity basketball at Cascade and hoping to graduate in 2013.

Q: It sounds as if you had problems earlier in high school with credits. Can you talk about that?

A: Yes, a lot of problems. Every time I did turn in the assignment, it would be great. But after football and basketball, I stopped the motivation. I didn’t have anyone pushing me like my dad pushes me in Everett.

Q: Your dad is really important with your motivation to do your class work?

A: Oh yeah.

Q: What position did you play in football?

A: Fullback, I was defensive lineman and a little linebacker.

Q: What about basketball?

A: Power forward and a center.

Q: What’s your favorite class?

A: Creative writing. I could sit and in 20 minutes write two to three pages.

Q: What are your plans after graduating from high school?

A: Originally I had planned everything through sports. But I would like to do something with the law, maybe a police officer, or go to the fire academy. I’ve thought about joining the Marines. Right now it’s auto mechanic, an auto technician program.

Q: What do you do in your after-school hours?

A: I have a lot three different jobs right now, a youth referee for flag football and basketball, and I work at a local batting cage and batting training complex if they’re in select baseball.

Q: Are you saving up money for something in particular?

A: Right now, basically just for myself. I had to buy my own car. I don’t really get handed any money by my parents.

Q: Does that help you grow up?

A: It is helping me grow up. I kind of like it that way. I’ve really done it myself. Not really dependent on anybody.

Q: What are your favorite music groups?

A: Nipsey Hussle and Wiz Khalifa

Q: How do you like your online courses?

A: I’m catching up a lot of work here. They’re great.

Q: Do you have to be more disciplined?

A: Yes, you have to focus. It’s all on the computer. I usually write up my stuff and then write the final drafts on the computer.

Q: Any advice for other students who may be having difficulties getting through their classes?

A: I feel like I’ve learned throughout it all. I guess the obstacles weren’t meant to be there if they weren’t meant to be overcome.

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com

WHEN I WAS A BOY

I would go home with grass stains on my jeans

I had no worries in LIFE

I wouldn’t ever think about the future

My family was together

I played basketball and football

I knew how to have fun

LIFE seemed so easy

I was always on the go

I had energy for days

There was no car

There was no having to get a job

I had money in my pocket that was handed to me not earned

I did not have anywhere close to as much knowledge as I do now about LIFE.